Tag: V6 power unit

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Ferrari Formula 1

Does Ferrari’s 2014 V6 F1 engine really suck?

This video claims to feature Ferrari’s 2014 turbocharged V6 F1 engine being tested at the company’s Fiorano circuit. As you’ll hear the oncoming car sounds like it’s sucking up the road before a pleasantly aggressive exhaust note roars as the car whizzes by.

Of course, that sucking sound could be the energy recovery system doing its business. Remember, in 2014 the energy boost available will be much bigger in terms of horsepower and time available for use compared with what we’ve become used to with the old KERS technology.

Now, that car; it looks a bit like a LaFerrari, but that large overhead air intake does seem a little out of place. And a tweet from Ferrari does indicate that they may have been doing something F1 related at Fiorano in recent days.

[Thanks to Wes for the tip]

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Formula 1 Honda McLaren

Listen to Honda’s 2015 F1 engine

Apparently this YouTube video gives us an early preview of what Honda’s 2015 Formula 1 engine will sound like. We’re not totally convinced of its accuracy, so perhaps treat it as part entertainment value for now.

Remember, next year F1 will switch to 1.6 litre turbocharged V6 engines and Honda will reunite with McLaren for the 2015 season.

This is the second audio preview we’ve been given of F1’s new world order after Mercedes AMG published an audio clip back in August.

UPDATE 18 October: Sounds like the above audio clip was fair dinkum after all, as this official clip from Honda (below) shows.

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Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz

What Formula 1 will sound like in 2014

Mercedes V6 F1 engine

Mercedes-Benz has released a computer-generated sound clip of what its 1.6 litre turbocharged V6 Formula 1 engines power units will sound like under the new regulations to be introduced next year. Their YouTube clip includes this introduction:

Best enjoyed with the sound turned up LOUD and on headphones or speakers for the full effect! Laptop speakers may lead to pale imitations of a Formula One Power Unit…

Exclusive to the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS YouTube channel, here’s the sound of the future!

This is a lap of the mythical Monza circuit with the new-for-2014 1.6 litre turbocharged V6 Formula One Power Unit. It’s a new music – but a beautiful one, too. Enjoy 🙂

Hopefully, in reality, the new engines won’t sound this artificial.

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Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz

Williams F1 switching to Mercedes power in 2014

Mercedes V6 F1 engine

The Williams F1 Team has announced today that their “long-term” deal with Renault will not extend into 2014. Instead they have signed a new “long-term” deal with Mercedes-Benz.

“I’m delighted to announce our new association with Mercedes-Benz for the 2014 Formula One season and beyond,” Team Principal Sir Frank Williams said. “Mercedes-Benz has been one of the sport’s most successful engine suppliers and we believe that they will have an extremely competitive engine package.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Renault for their continued hard work since we renewed our engine partnership at the beginning of the 2012 season. We have enjoyed a strong relationship that has resulted in much success over the years, including powering us to winning ways once again last year at the Spanish Grand Prix.”

Looks like we won’t see the rebirth of the Renault Clio Williams after all. And Williams-Renaults racing McLaren-Hondas would have rekindled fond memories for those of us over 35 too. Life marches on.

Indeed the new engines, which we must call power units, on account of their greater reliance on Energy Recovery Systems, will take Formula 1 in a new direction next year. It will be fascinating to see how they sound, how they perform and how reliable they are.

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Formula 1 Renault Toro Rosso

Toro Rosso to make Renault switch in 2014

2014 Renault Sport F1 V6 engine

Renault has announced Toro Rosso will use their engine and recovery systems when Formula 1 moves to a new 1.6 litre V6 turbo era in 2014.

The move will end Toro Rosso’s seven-year association with Ferrari engines and will bring it into line with its senior Red Bull Racing team.

As well as signing Toro Rosso to a new long-term deal, Renault has extended its contract with Red Bull Racing.

Quotes from the relevant bigwigs can be read after the break.

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Formula 1 Honda McLaren

2015 McLaren-Honda partnership confirmed

McLaren-Honda MP4-4

The widely tipped news that Honda would return to Formula 1 to reunite with McLaren in 2015 has been confirmed today.

Honda left F1 at the end of the 2008 season with little success at the time and global financial pressures forcing their hand. It’s great to see them back in F1 and they’ll be hoping their glory days with McLaren, when Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna seemingly won races at will, can be rekindled.

No contract length has been given in the official press releases below, other than to say this is a “multi-year deal”.

Takanobu Ito, President and CEO of Honda said the switch to 1.6 litre turbocharged V6 engines, coming into place next year, has attracted Honda’s return: “We have the greatest respect for the FIA’s decision to introduce these new regulations that are both highly challenging but also attractive to manufacturers that pursue environmental technologies and to Formula One Group, which has developed F1 into a high value, top car racing category supported by enthusiastic fans.

Martin Whitmarsh, McLaren Group CEO, is also keen to reignite the flame both companies have enjoyed in the past: “The names of McLaren and Honda are synonymous with success in Formula 1, and, for everyone who works for both companies, the weight of our past achievements together lies heavily on our shoulders. But it’s a mark of the ambition and resolve we both share that we want once again to take McLaren-Honda to the very pinnacle of Formula 1 success. Together we have a great legacy – and we’re utterly committed to maintaining it.

Whitmarsh also commented briefly on McLaren’s relationship with Mercedes-Benz, which will continue in 2014: “It’s appropriate to recognise that until the end of 2014 we’ll maintain a full commitment to our existing and long-standing partner, Mercedes-Benz, for which we retain the utmost respect and with whom we intend to continue to work diligently and professionally.”

Full statements from McLaren and Honda can be read after the break. There’s a video from today’s announcement too, with Martin Whitmarsh’s speech taking place about 5:44 into the 12 minute clip.

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Formula 1 Renault

Renault shows off its 2014 F1 V6 “power-unit”

2014 Renault Sport F1 V6 engine

This is Renault’s 2014 F1 engine, sorry, “power-unit”. We’re not allowed to call the new 1.6 litre V6 turbocharged thingamajig an engine, apparently. Mostly it’s because they want us to think of the internal combustion bit and the sparky KERS bits as one unit. But screw you Renault, we’ll call it an engine if we like!

Renault Sport F1’s new engine has been created to comply with the FIA’s new regulations, which will come into force next year. Renault, not exactly known for road going V8 engines, is keen to usher in the V6 era so they can use words like “relevance” and “everyday”.

The ability to produce another 272 “limited edition” F1-inspred models of the Clio and Megane is just an accidental side benefit, of course.

Carlos Ghosn, Renault supremo, is also ready to cash in saying: “Renault’s continued involvement in Formula 1 serves to showcase our technological expertise on the racetrack and also contributes to the progress of our road vehicles. In each of these areas that entails delivering the ideal balance between performance, fuel consumption and reliability.

“With the new regulations, the use of electrical power stands to take on an increasingly important role in the development of powertrains, and that fits perfectly with Renault’s strategic commitment to electric vehicles.”

There’s more photos and the like from the Renault Sport F1 labcoats after the break and, for the true F1 nerds among you, feel free to download the full press kit for the 2014 “power-unit”.

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Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz

2014 Mercedes V6 F1 engine hits the right note

Mercedes V6 F1 engine

The future of F1 in 2014 sounds bright, according to selected media who were lucky enough to hear a new Mercedes V6 turbo engine at full noise on Friday.

Ever since the FIA declared F1 would be switching to 1.6 litre turbocharged V6 engines from 2014 fears have existed that the new engines would produce a sound not befitting the world’s premier motorsport category.

Mercedes-Benz provided the first sample of F1’s new era at an invitation only test at its High Performance Powertrains facility in Brixworth.

“The engines are going to be loud, but I think sweet sounding,” said Andy Cowell, managing director of Mercedes-Benz HPP on Friday.

“The frequency will be higher and, with the turbocharger running at 125,000rpm, they will be loud,” added Cowell. “There will be a new quality to the racing too. It will edge towards a thinking drivers’ formula to get the most from the car and the available fuel energy.

“The engines will also deliver much more torque—especially on the exit of the corners. Cars with more power than grip coming out of the corners—that is something that we all enjoy.

“They will also put F1 back at the cutting edge of new technology—which is what the fans want.”

Another change in the new engine regs is a greater reliance on KERS, which will be referred to simply as Energy Recovery System (ERS). Currently KERS offers an extra 80hp for 6.7 seconds per lap, but ERS will boost performance by 161hp for up to 33.3 seconds.

“Today it is difficult to be quick without KERS—for 2014 it will be impossible to go racing without ERS,” Cowell claimed.

Unfortunately for us Mercedes has protected their intellectual property and those present on Friday were prevented from taking any cameras or audio recording devices into Brixworth. The end result means there will be no audio revealed to the public at this early stage in development.

[Source: Autosport]

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Formula 1

Formula One to use V6 turbo engines from 2014

2011 Monaco Grand Prix

From 2014 F1 cars will be powered by 1.6-litre V6 turbo engines with energy recovery systems. Confirmation of the news from the World Motor Sport Council follows protracted negotiations, hissy fits and threats of withdrawal from some F1 teams after an earlier four-cylinder engine proposal was presented. Ferrari were the most vocal opponents on that score.

It’s understood the new engine regulations will see revs capped at 12,000rpm. However, the teams are asking for that cap to be raised to 15,000rpm. They’re also hoping to defer changes to chassis regulations until 2014. At this stage those requests have not bee signed off.

[via Autosport]

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